Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-04-05

~ = 80 @~ZS
DISCUSSING THE COMING OF ~. II. A. '
Half an hour passed, and the distant
clatter Of the crazy stage coach was
heard coming round the bend in tn,
road at the entrance of the village
The lamp was carried into the sitting
room, and Captain Flagg, with his wife
and Polly, who had just arrived, In
compliance with Miss Smiths express
invitation, were shown into the quaint,
old-time room, followed, a moment OF
two later, by the Masons-Miss Smith,
wearing her best alapaca, bringing up
the rear.
There was a brief period of waiting,
in which every one spoke in sort OF
undertone, and presently steps were
heard on the piazza, whereat Miss
Smith nervously hurried out, to en-
counter the gaze of the tallest and
stiiIest gentleman she had ever seen,
who had just entered the door with
Tad.
"rhis is Mr.. j. II. Atherton-Miss
Smith, said Tad, awkwardly.
Miss Smith courtesied, primly. The
tall gentleman inclined his head about
an inch and a half, after which cere-
mony he was ushered into the sitting
room, and formally presented to the
assembled company, whose presence
he evidently regarded with great sur
prise.
''Bein' lone woman" explained
Miss Smith, II thought best, for my
sake and Tad's here, to ask in these
frien's and neighbors of mine, so s to
make sure that ev'ry thing IL be done
straight and square,"
Mr.. Atherton did not seem particu-
iarly well pleased with the explanation,
but he silently bowed, and seated him
self in Miss Smiths rocking chair.
Then, mounting pair of gold-bowed
eyeglasses across his Roman nose, he
glance over the top of them, and
cleared his throat in an impressive
manner.
"This -er-youth, whom l dimly re-
member having seen once BEFORE
said Mr.. Atherton, with d dignified move
ment Of his slender white hand toward
Tad, who stood near the old secretary.
''has, while ON the way to your house.
informed me concerning the manner
in which-a--my property came into
his possession, and presume his-er
-veracity need not be called into
question"
Miss Smith shifted audibly.
''He's as truthful boy as + ever
saw she said, concisely, and Captain
Flagg was heard to murmur that no
truthfuller one never chopped down
cherry tree with his little hatchet
"That being the case, continued the
speaker, who had a ponderous way Of
moving and speaking, 1--WE viii proceed
to the business in hand.
Drawing notebook from his pocket,
Mr.. Atherton opened it, and began
reading;
Contents of sachel as follows: Item
first, white pasteboard box, containing
certain articles of jewelry, two wit:
One gold star pendant, containing
seventeen diamonds with large straw
colored stone in center; one pair sol
itaire ear drops, 81 carats weight
each; one diamond ring; one heavy
gold bracelet. Value of the Whole
six thousand five hundred and fifty dol
lars. These valuables," he observed,
pausing a moment to'note the effect Of
his announcement, 'swe family jewels,
now belonging to myself as sole sur
yiving heir of the late Atherton family"
''Item second" he continued, re-
ferring again to the notebook, 'family
papers, as follows; Power of attorney
from my diseased brother, S. X. Ather-
ton; deed Of Atherton homestead; win
of late General Cleveland Athcrton'--
"That's enough, curtly interrupted
Miss Smith; ''you have the key to the
sachel with you, l s'pose.".
al have, madam was the reply.
"Then,' returned Miss Smith, NOV
ing toward the secretary drawer, and
proceeding to insert the key "if the
things in the sachel corresponds to them
you've mentioned, why
Here Miss Smith stopped abruptly.